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Orangutan Ecotourism on Sumatra Island: Current Conditions and a Call for Further Development

Author

Listed:
  • Agus Purwoko

    (Faculty of Forestry, Universitas Sumatera Utara, Jl. Tri Darma Ujung 1 Padang Bulan, Medan 20155, Indonesia)

  • Wanda Kuswanda

    (Research Center for Ecology and Ethnobiology, National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), Gedung B.J. Habibie, Jl. M.H. Thamrin No. 8, Jakarta 10340, Indonesia)

  • Rospita Odorlina Pilianna Situmorang

    (Research Center for Population, National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), Gd. Widya Graha Lt. X, Jl. Jend. Gatot Subroto No. 10, Jakarta 12710, Indonesia)

  • Freddy Jontara Hutapea

    (Research Center for Ecology and Ethnobiology, National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), Gedung B.J. Habibie, Jl. M.H. Thamrin No. 8, Jakarta 10340, Indonesia
    School of Ecosystem and Forest Sciences, Faculty of Science, The University of Melbourne, Creswick, VIC 3363, Australia)

  • Muhammad Hadi Saputra

    (Research Center for Ecology and Ethnobiology, National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), Gedung B.J. Habibie, Jl. M.H. Thamrin No. 8, Jakarta 10340, Indonesia)

  • Parlin Hotmartua Putra Pasaribu

    (Research Center for Ecology and Ethnobiology, National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), Gedung B.J. Habibie, Jl. M.H. Thamrin No. 8, Jakarta 10340, Indonesia)

Abstract

This paper aimed to provide a narrative review of the current conditions of orangutan ecotourism on Sumatra Island, problems in the current management systems, and some recommendations for further development. Orangutan conservation centers have been developed on Sumatra Island since 1973. The Bukit Lawang Conservation Station is one of the orangutan conservation centers that have practiced ecotourism to overcome ecological and socio-economic issues. Even though the Bukit Lawang Conservation Station has operated for decades, this station has faced several issues, in particular a monetary crisis in 1997, a flash flood in 2003, and the COVID-19 pandemic. We identified that orangutan conservation centers on Sumatra Island have the potential to support orangutan ecotourism. These conservation centers have ecological support, available facilities, and rich local wisdom that can provide added value for orangutan ecotourism. Therefore, we propose that the development of orangutan ecotourism on Sumatra Island should accommodate surrounding communities through community-based wildlife ecotourism. We also recommend the following strategies to develop orangutan ecotourism on Sumatra Island: (1) mapping the location and distribution of wild orangutans in their natural habitats; (2) managing captive and semi-captive orangutans in conservation centers; (3) provision of tour packages; (4) community empowerment; (5) institutional strengthening of community-based ecotourism management (CBEM); (6) developing ecotourism through a benefit-sharing model; (7) anticipating and minimizing the negative impacts of ecotourism on orangutans; and (8) integrating orangutan tourism with local wisdom.

Suggested Citation

  • Agus Purwoko & Wanda Kuswanda & Rospita Odorlina Pilianna Situmorang & Freddy Jontara Hutapea & Muhammad Hadi Saputra & Parlin Hotmartua Putra Pasaribu, 2022. "Orangutan Ecotourism on Sumatra Island: Current Conditions and a Call for Further Development," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(18), pages 1-20, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:14:y:2022:i:18:p:11328-:d:910997
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Svetlana Ivanova & Alexander Prosekov & Anatoly Kaledin, 2022. "Is Ecotourism an Opportunity for Large Wild Animals to Thrive?," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(5), pages 1-15, February.
    2. Agus Purwoko & Dodik Ridho Nurrochmat & Meti Ekayani & Syamsu Rijal & Herlina Leontin Garura, 2022. "Examining the Economic Value of Tourism and Visitor Preferences: A Portrait of Sustainability Ecotourism in the Tangkahan Protection Area, Gunung Leuser National Park, North Sumatra, Indonesia," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(14), pages 1-14, July.
    3. Hasita Bhammar & Wendy Li & Christel Maria Moller Molina & Valerie Hickey & Jo Pendry & Urvashi Narain, 2021. "Framework for Sustainable Recovery of Tourism in Protected Areas," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(5), pages 1-10, March.
    4. Louise Twining-Ward & Wendy Li & Hasita Bhammar & Elisson Wright, 2018. "Supporting Sustainable Livelihoods through Wildlife Tourism," World Bank Publications - Reports 29417, The World Bank Group.
    5. Yun Eui Choi & Kihwan Song & Min Kim & Junga Lee, 2017. "Transformation Planning for Resilient Wildlife Habitats in Ecotourism Systems," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 9(4), pages 1-28, March.
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    Cited by:

    1. Saraswati Sisriany & Katsunori Furuya, 2025. "Does Ecotourism Really Benefit the Environment? A Trend Analysis of Forest Cover Loss in Indonesia," Land, MDPI, vol. 14(6), pages 1-25, June.
    2. Riyan Mohammed Sahahiri & Amy L. Griffin & Qian (Chayn) Sun, 2023. "Investigating Ecotourism Opportunities Measurements in a Complex Adaptive System: A Systematic Literature Review," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(3), pages 1-20, February.
    3. Muhammad Arifin Nasution & Agus Purwoko & Wanda Kuswanda & Nurdin Sulistiyono & Muhammad Fuad Abdullah & Seca Gandaseca & Badli Esham Ahmad & Yarina Ahmad & Reny Khaerany Nisfiary & Rizkia Amalia Adin, 2025. "Development Priority Policies for Impact Control and the Recovery of Natural Tourism in the Wake of the COVID-19 Pandemic in North Sumatra Province, Indonesia," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(8), pages 1-23, April.

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